What type of modification is signed only by the contracting officer?

A unilateral modification is a type of change to a contract that is signed only by the contracting officer. This means that the contracting officer has the authority to make adjustments to the contract terms without needing the agreement or consent of the other party involved in the contract. This is typically used for matters such as administrative changes, funding adjustments, or changes in the delivery schedule that do not require negotiation.

In contrast, bilateral modifications involve mutual agreement between both parties; these require signatures from both the contracting officer and the contractor. This type of modification is often used when changes to the contract result in new obligations for both parties. The other terms, such as amendment and modification, can refer to different types of contract changes but do not inherently imply the signature requirements that are specific to unilateral actions. Therefore, the distinction with unilateral modifications is crucial in understanding how contract adjustments can be executed administratively by the contracting officer alone, streamlining processes in situations where immediate action is necessary.